Health

Discrimination against IMGs barred

Article Abstract:

The Health Professions Reauthorizations Act prohibits discrimination against physicians who graduate from foreign medical colleges. The AMA, which pushed for passage of the law, claims that it does not rule out judging the competency of candidates for residencies or licenses. Some federal funds can be withheld if programs persist in discrimination, but no lawsuits can be filed. The law also requires a survey of 10 state licensure boards. Another survey will analyze the AMA's new National Physician Credential Verification Service, a database designed to eliminate paperwork.

AMA pledges to help students, residents in tough market

Article Abstract:

The American Medical Assn (AMA) House of Delegates, at the association's 1995 meeting, acted to improve the availability of job-market information to resident physicians and medical students. The delegates voted to place job information on the AMA's Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Data Access database and to supply medical students with AMA data on the future supply of specialists. The delegates also committed the association to limiting the number of resident slots available.

IMGs repel federal effort to close immigration door

Article Abstract:

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has decided to continue letting international medical graduates (IMG) set up medical practices in the US under H-1B and J-1 nonimmigrant classification. The need for IMG doctors in certain communities contributed to the decision. The American Medical Association and IMG Committee strongly opposed a proposition to restrict IMG immigration.